The perusal of Google Earth images of Antarctica have revealed pyramids on the ice-covered continent, prompting conspiracy theorists to speculate on their origin. Among some of the imaginative claims are that the formations are remnants of the lost civilization of Atlantis and that the pyramids were built with the help of aliens.

The Daily Star reported this week that Google Earth images of what are being called “snow pyramids” have set the internet to talking about the possibility of an ancient human civilization that might have once populated Antarctica. The latest images are of a third pyramid that has been found. But like the other two, the newest pyramid has four sides, generating comparisons to the pyramids at Giza in Egypt.

Two of the pyramids are located roughly 10 miles inland. The third can be found near Antarctica’s coastline.

Prompting much of the speculation that humans may have built the snow pyramids is that scientists believe that Antarctica once was not an icebound continent but a region that likely played host to expansive rainforest. Researchers led by NASA and composed of 11 different academic institutions were involved in an expedition that resulted in the finding of various forms of microbial life in sealed-off (beneath 65 feet of ice) Lake Vida.

Glacier ice pyramids. [Image by Nicram Sabod/Shutterstock]

The Sun quoted Dr. Vanessa Bowman of the British Antarctic Survey on the different climate prevalent in the far past. “Go back 100 million years ago,” she said, “and Antarctica was covered in lush rainforests similar to those that exist in New Zealand today.”

Media outlets such as the Daily Star and the Express have suggested that the snow pyramids, if proven to be man-made, could “change the course of human history.” The Express noted that some experts have even theorized that, given that the southernmost continent was once far warmer and verdant, an ancient civilization similar to those that existed in Africa, Asia, and Europe could have once prospered at Antarctica.

The Daily Star pointed out that the ideas of slaves having built the Egyptian pyramids were still being questioned, leaving some to believe humans with such primitive technology could not have constructed the pyramids on their own. This has led to the suggestion that aliens, extraterrestrial beings, may have aided in the pyramids’ construction.

And then there is the suggestion that the snow pyramids are what is left of the ancient civilization of the legendary lost continent of Atlantis.

Thus far, two snow pyramids have been found roughly 10 miles inland, while a third has been found on the coast of Antarctica. [Image by Pixus/Shutterstock]

However, a geological answer has been offered to explain the mysterious structures as well. The pyramid-like formations could be extended rocky peaks known as “nunatak,” which are protrusions through ice or glacial crust of the peaks of mountains or rocks that stand higher than the terrain around it. Of course, the four sides of the pyramid, though seemingly artificial, are the results of natural erosive forces over millions of years.

Some are using the new snow pyramids as a way of furthering their own agendas, like YouTube user Freedom Fighter Times (who also noted that the snow pyramids story has been around for a few years), which used the scientific evidence that Antarctica was believed to have once been the opposite of a continent of ice to support the position that man-made climate change is a hoax.

As usual, commentary on the Google Earth findings present a mosaic of varied ideas. But one addresses both the human-built pyramid position as well as that of the ancient aliens-guided position. Posted on Alltime Conspiracies Facebook page, Richard Palmer wrote, “As much as I’d like it to of been built by aliens from above the lines are nowhere near as straight as the pyramids and surely someone has zoomed in a bit closer to see if there are joints in between blocks it’s interesting but nature has formed this.”